Demand for reactive and hot-melt adhesives growing, finds new study

A new Freedonia Group analysis of the global adhesives and sealants finds that water-based adhesives will remain the most used product in 2025, accounting for nearly one-third of all demand. However, reactive and hot-melt adhesives and sealants are expected to gain greater popularity in use with some of the best opportunities moving forward.

Overall, the report finds that global adhesives and sealants market will hit about $81 billion in 2025.

The demand for reactive and hot-melt products
The gains for reactive products will be supported by a solid growth in construction activity and automotive production — sectors where the superior performance properties of reactive products are preferred and sealing is becoming more important.

Hot-melt products are a form of thermoplastic adhesive. Reactive adhesives cure or set when exposed to heat, moisture, radiation,

The hot-melt demand will be bolstered by the growing textile market, where such products continue to replace conventional stitching in hems due to their rapid cure rates. Use of non-woven products, such as wipes and masks, surged during 2020 and 2021 and these rates are expected to remain elevated.

Additionally, the market for personal hygiene products is expanding in developed countries with aging populations and in developing economies where personal incomes are rising.

Water-based adhesives remain popular
Despite a growing interest in alternative adhesives solutions, water-based products will remain popular due to their relatively lower cost, ease-of-use, and reduced emissions, which make them more environmentally friendly than solvent-based products.

Water-based adhesives use a combination of water, polymers, and additives, and are ideal for porous or non-porous substrates.

Although water-based products already tend to be favored in developed areas where consumers have concerns about contaminants and there are regulations in place monitoring their use, they are likely to gain ground in developing areas as consumers in those areas are also able to specify such products.

The future
As mentioned, the global adhesives and sealants market is expected to reach $81 billion in 2025. The Freedonia Group projects global demand for adhesives and sealants to grow 3.4% per year to 24.7 million metric tons valued at $81.0 billion in 2025.

These gains will be supported by:

• Rising construction activity and infrastructure investment in developing countries, boosted in the short term by rebounds from losses seen during the COVID-19 pandemic
• An increase in manufacturing output, most notably of transportation equipment, and ongoing increases in manufacturing activity of consumer goods in emerging economies
• The continuing transition in manufacturing, assembly, and construction from mechanical fasteners to adhesive bonding

The Global Adhesives & Sealants report is now available from the Freedonia Group here.